Victoria’s Secret Developing Mastectomy Bras for Breast Cancer Survivors

After starting a petition with Change.org asking Victoria’s Secret to consider making mastectomy bras for breast cancer survivors, Allana Maiden‘s voice has been heard by the lingerie giant.

Maiden, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor, was contacted by Victoria’s Secret after her petition garnered more than 120,000 signatures.

The 27-year-old and her mom met with Tammy Roberts Myers, a rep for the company, to discuss the idea.

After the meeting, Maiden said:

“We didn’t really know what to expect going in. She had been really nice on the phone when I had talked to her before, and she seemed really interested in my ideas, so I kind of thought it would continue to go that way, but I wasn’t really expecting it to go that high.”

Apparently, Victoria’s Secret has already begun researching how to go about making a mastectomy bra and they also have plans to fly Maiden and her mom to their HQ in Columbus, Ohio to meet with developers.

A spokesman for the company said:

“We celebrate those who champion the fight against breast cancer. Victoria’s Secret and our parent company, Limited Brands, have been dedicated to helping eradicate this disease and have committed $10s of millions to cancer research. Ultimately, we are working towards celebrating the day when breast cancer is a thing of the past. In the meantime, we are listening and learning to understand if there are additional ways for our company to continue to extend its support.”

Are You Wearing the Right Bra? Bra Fitting Advice from Divabetic: http://youtu.be/6VVH4-rT3yQ

Serve, Taste or Trash! Food Game at Making Strides Walk 2012 with Mr Divabetic

Let’s Talk About Sex!  Here’s a sneak peak of  Divabetic’s upcoming ‘Love On A Two Way Street’ free outreach program focused on ‘Sexual Health & Diabetes’ and presented at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital on Sat., Feb, 9, 2013

TUNE IN: Free to Diabetes Roundtable podcast Inspired by Rihanna with guests: Neva White DNP, CRNP, CDE, Connie Frazier RD, CDE, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, author Elsie Spruill, poet Lorraine Brooks, hairstylist and makeup artist Charlene Wilson, Mama Rose Marie and Allison from Jersey City, NJ living with diabetes http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2013/01/08/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-rihanna

 ’Movie Girl Workouts’ with Mr. Divabetic and fitness expert, Katherine Adamenko

Experience Mr. Divabetic’s wellness with a wow programming in Tucson, AZ, Santa Clara, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Savannah, GA and Bethesda, MD in 2013. Get more details at www.divabetic.org

Why You Should ‘Eat Your Vegetables’ If You Have Breast Cancer

It looks like wearing a ‘FRUIT SUIT’ to encourage people to eat more fruits and vegetable is a smart idea according to a new study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

The new study reports that including lots of nutrient-rich vegetables in your diet is associated with a decreased risk of a specific type of breast cancer,  The researchers analyzed the women’s fruit and vegetable consumption as well as their breast cancer development — along with their type of breast cancer — throughout the years.

The researchers reported an association between higher vegetable intake and a decreased risk of estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer. The association between fruit consumption and estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer was not statistically significant, though.

However, in an accompanying editorial, experts from the University of Arizona Cancer Center pointed out that merely an association was noted, and other health behaviors could play a major role in the decreased risk of this breast cancer subtype.

SERVE, TASTE or TRASH! Food Game at Making Strides Walk 2012 with Mr Divabetic

Let’s Talk About Sex!  Here’s a sneak peak of  Divabetic’s upcoming ‘Love On A Two Way Street’ free outreach program focused on ‘Sexual Health & Diabetes’ and presented at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital on Sat., Feb, 9, 2013

TUNE IN: Free to Diabetes Roundtable podcast Inspired by Rihanna with guests: Neva White DNP, CRNP, CDE, Connie Frazier RD, CDE, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, author Elsie Spruill, poet Lorraine Brooks, hairstylist and makeup artist Charlene Wilson, Mama Rose Marie and Allison from Jersey City, NJ living with diabetes http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2013/01/08/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-rihanna

 ’Movie Girl Workouts’ with Mr. Divabetic and fitness expert, Katherine Adamenko

Experience Mr. Divabetic’s wellness with a wow programming in Tucson, AZ, Santa Clara, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Savannah, GA and Bethesda, MD in 2013. Get more details at www.divabetic.org

Diabetes Risk May Increase After Breast Cancer

Some women who survive breast cancer may be more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, say Ontario doctors who suggest prevention and screening for the metabolic disease.

Knowing that women with diabetes have a higher risk of postmenopausal breast cancer than those without diabetes, researchers set out to explore the reverse: are breast cancer survivors more likely to develop diabetes?

Diabetes specialist Dr. Lorraine Lipscombe of Women’s College Research Institute in Toronto and her co-authors looked at the incidence of diabetes among women in Ontario aged 55 years or older diagnosed with early stage breast cancer compared with women the same age without breast cancer.

The women were followed for an average of six years for the study published in Wednesday’s issue of the journal Diabetologia, the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.

“The increase in diabetes we saw was modest,” Lipscombe said.

“We certainly don’t think this means that breast cancer causes diabetes or that all breast cancer survivors are at higher risk of diabetes. Rather, this is a study that raises awareness of a potential association between the two conditions.”

The reasons why are unclear and more works needs to be done to determine which women who survive breast cancer could be at higher risk of getting diabetes, the researchers said.

“In the meantime, greater diabetes screening and prevention strategies among breast cancer survivors may be warranted,” the study’s authors concluded.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer  with Mr. Divabetic

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer with Mr. Divabetic

Diabetes & Exercise? What real women living with diabetes have to say about blood sugars, marathons and motivation with Mr. Divabetic 

TUNE IN: Free Diabetes Podcast Inspired by Anne Hathaway with guests: Neva White DNP, CRNP, CDE, Cheryl Marco CDE, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, author Dr. Beverly S. Adler,  Mama Rose Marie and Lorraine from Long Island, NY living with diabetes

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/12/11/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-anne-hathaway

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic rolls out the red tomato carpet at the 68th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.

Experience Mr. Divabetic’s wellness with a wow programming in Tucson, AZ, Santa Clara, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Savannah, GA and Bethesda, MD in 2013. Get more details at www.divabetic.org 

12 Divas Of Christmas: Nicki Minaj

12 Divas Of Christmas

Our tenth Diva of Christmas is Nicki Minaj. She’s the Barbie of Hip-Hop, complete with interchangeable wigs and all pink everything.Whether you’re Team Nicki or would rather send her and her gimmicks packing, you have to admit that as one of the lone females in mainstream rap she is holding her own with her multiple personalities and over the top, theatrical fashion sense. Nicki Minaj draws inspiration from everything from Barbie to the Harajuku girls. She combines influences calling herself the “Harajuku Barbie” and her love of pink is reflected in her clothes, nails and wig colors.

Nicki Minaj rose to prominence when she released her debut album, Pink Friday, in 2010, peaking at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 and being certified Platinum by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) a month after its release. She’s the first female solo artist to have seven singles on the Billboard Hot 100  at the same time. Her seventh single,“Super Bass” has since been certified quadruple-platinum by the RIAA, and has sold more than four million copies, becoming one of the best-selling singles in the United States.

ON THE SHOW:  Mr. Divabetic hosts this thirty minute whirlwind of PINK which includes a ‘Breast Cancer & Diabetes’ Hot Topics discussion, Bra-Fitting and Shapwear Advice, our popular Dining Out With A Dietitian segment at Pink’s Hotdog Stand in LA, a Diabetes Numerology Puzzle with a Titanic twist and a Mother Your Diabetes commentary. We’re also raising awareness for Domestic Violence. Guests include the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach: Connie Frazier RD, CDE, Kathy Gold RN, CDE, Catherine Schuller, Connie Elder and Mama Rose Marie. The program’s special guest is Leola C., from Grand Rapids, MI living with type 1 diabetes. Don’t get down, Get DIVA!

LISTEN NOW: 12 Divas Of Chrstmas: Nicki Minaj http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/10/09/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-nicki-minaj

TUNE IN: Free Diabetes Podcast Inspired by Anne Hathaway  with guests: Neva White DNP, CRNP, CDE, Cheryl Marco CDE, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, author Dr. Beverly S. Adler,  Mama Rose Marie and Lorraine from Long Island, NY living with diabetes

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/12/11/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-anne-hathaway

Mr. Divabetic plays his nutrition game, Serve, Taste or Trash! in Central Park

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic rolls out the red tomato carpet at the 68th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.

Experience Mr. Divabetic’s wellness with a wow programming in Tucson, AZ, Santa Clara, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Savannah, GA and Bethesda, MD in 2013. Get more details at www.divabetic.org 

Wednesday’s World Premiere Video: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic salutes breast cancer survivors living with diabetes by rolling out the red tomato carpet at the 2012 American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Central Park, NY.

The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk unites communities to celebrate people who have battled breast cancer, educate people about ways to reduce their risk, and brings us all one step closer to a cure and new treatments. Since 1993, nearly 7 million walkers have raised more than $400 million to help fight breast cancer by participating in non-competitive, 3- to 5-mile events.

Mr. Divabetic plays his nutrition game, Serve, Taste or Trash! with New Yorkers in Central Park to hilarious results. In the game, you’re given three choices of fruits and vegetables. You must decide which one you’d serve, which one you’d taste and which one you’d trash.

Before you decide to “trash” a veggie for good, why not try to eat it raw? Raw veggies can be more appetizing than their cooked counterparts to people who aren’t crazy about vegetables. The flavors of raw veggies can be milder than those of cooked ones. And the texture is crispy, rather than mushy. Let Mr. Divabetic inspire you to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Original music by Douglas Clay: http://www.douglasclaymusic.com

TUNE IN: Free Diabetes Podcast Inspired by Anne Hathaway  with guests: Neva White DNP, CRNP, CDE, Cheryl Marco CDE, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, author Dr. Beverly S. Adler,  Mama Rose Marie and Lorraine from Long Island, NY living with diabetes

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/12/11/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-anne-hathaway

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic rolls out the red tomato carpet at the 68th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.

Experience Mr. Divabetic’s wellness with a wow programming in Tucson, AZ, Santa Clara, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Savannah, GA and Bethesda, MD in 2013. Get more details at www.divabetic.org 

Moderate Exercies Lowers Breast Cancer Risk in Women Living with Diabetes

A new study suggests that women with diabetes mellitus type 2 may reduce their risk for breast cancer if they do moderate physical exercise often.

Physical exercise is good for the health and it’s linked to reduced risk for many types of chronic diseases including cancer, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrom, and heartdisease among others.

Torres-Mejía G of National Institute of Public Health, Center for Population Health Research in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico and colleagues conducted the study and found  diabetes mellitus was linked to increased risk of breast cancer, but moderate physical exercise was associated with reduced risk in diabetic women.

The study of 1000 incident cases of diabetes mellitus and 1,074 controls showed that the association between diabetes mellitus and breast cancer decreased as the load of moderately intense physical activity increased. Those having diabetes and a lower  load of physical exercise were nearly 5 times as likely as those who had diabetes, but had the highest load of moderate physical exercise to develop  breast cancer.

The researchers concluded “Moderate-intensity physical activity can substantially ameliorate the increased BC (breast cancer) risk in diabetic women.” By David Liu, PHD

TUNE IN: Diabetes Roundtable Inspired by Taylor Swift  on #BlogTalkRadio  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/09/11/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-mystery-diva

DON’T MISS: Diabetes Roundtable Goes PINK! Mr. Divabetic salutes Breast Cancer Survivors living with diabetes with the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, makeup artist Kiauna Hunt and Mama Rose Marie. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/10/09/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-nicki-minaj

REGISTER NOW:  Don’t miss our largest free diabetes outreach event of the year, Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes,  promoting a diva attitude for living well with diabetes. Our goal is to make every woman feel more beautiful inside and out through the help of a team of certified diabetes educators, registered dietitians, and beauty and fashion experts.

Saturday, October 13, 2012, 11 AM – 4 PM

Jefferson Alumni Hall , First Floor Eakins Lounge 10th and Locust Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19107

FREE ADMISSION

Register: 1-800-JEFF-NOW

Look who’s on the red tomato carpet with Mr. Divabetic at Plus Night Out -NYC

Meet Mr. Divabetic on his quest to glamorize good health at Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes outreach event in Philadelphia, PA, the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Expo in Pittsburgh, PA  and the Taking Control Of  Your Diabetes Conferences & Health Fairs in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX.

For sponsorship opportunities and upcoming outreach event details visit:  www.divabetic.org and Divabetic’s Facebook’s Group and Fan pages.

Kathy Bates Undergoes Double Mastectomy for Breast Cancer

Actress Kathy Bates has undergone a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer, People magazine reported.

“After much consideration, I underwent a double mastectomy,” Bates, 64, told People. “Luckily, I don’t have to undergo radiation or chemo. My family call me Kat because I always land on my feet and thankfully this is no exception.”

Bates also battled ovarian cancer nine years ago, according to the magazine.

Mastectomy is breast-removal surgery; it can either be done as a preventive measure (for people who have a high risk of developing breast cancer) or as a treatment for people already diagnosed with the disease, like Bates, according to the National Institutes of Health.

There are many kinds of mastectomy, each with varying degrees of breast removal. A total mastectomy, for example, means that all of the breast tissue, as well as the nipple, are surgically removed, while a radical mastectomy includes the complete removal of the breast, chest muscles and the lymph nodes, the NIH reported.

Lumpectomy is also an option, where much of the breast is conserved and just the tumor is taken out, according to the Mayo Clinic. Even though efficacy of lumpectomy and mastectomy are about the same, some people may not be able to undergo — or may choose not to undergo — lumpectomy.

Look who’s on the red tomato carpet with Mr. Divabetic at Plus Night Out -NYC

Free Diabetes Podcast inspired by Taylor Swift http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/09/11/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-mystery-diva

Meet Mr. Divabetic on his quest to glamorize good health at Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes outreach event in Philadelphia, PA, the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Expo in Pittsburgh, PA  and the Taking Control Of Your Diabetes Conferences & Health Fairs in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX.

For sponsorship opportunities and event details visit:  www.divabetic.org and Divabetic’s facebook pages.

Breast Cancer More Likely to Recur in Obese Women

Obese and overweight women with breast cancer are significantly more likely to have the cancer return regardless of treatment, new research suggests.

The study, published in the American Cancer Society’s journal, Cancer, suggests that excess body fat may cause hormonal changes in the body that fuel cancer to spread and recur. “We found that obesity at diagnosis of breast cancer is associated with about a 30 percent higher risk of recurrence and nearly 50 percent higher risk of death despite optimal treatment,” said study author Dr. Joseph Sparano. 

By looking at the participants’ body mass indexes (BMI) – a ratio of height over body weight that scientists use to measure obesity – the scientists found that BMI increases significantly increases a women’s risk of her breast cancer coming back. These women also were more likely to die of breast cancer than their thinner counterparts in the study.

The effect remained despite optimal treatments including chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. Women who had hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, the most common type of breast cancer that’s found in two-thirds of all breast cancer cases worldwide were most likely to experience these negative outcomes if obese or overweight.

“To me the big news is that it is showing obesity is only related to one subtype [of breast cancer],” Dr. Bette Caan, a senior research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, Calif. who was not involved in the study, said to HealthDay. “It’s the most common subtype.”

Sparano told TIME that overweight and obese people produce more estrogen, which may cause hormone receptor-positive cancers to grow. He also said insulin-resistance found in overweight people may contribute to this effect, or a combination of these factors along with general inflammation.

“Treatment strategies aimed at interfering with hormonal changes and inflammation caused by obesity may help reduce the risk of recurrence,” Sparano said in the press release. Reprinted from CBS News

 

What do you like to eat to stay healthy? The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic plays his newest food game, Serve, Taste or Trash to reveal the world’s most loved and hated foods.

LISTEN NOW: Free Diabetes Podcast Inspired by Katy Perry  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/07/10/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-katy-perry

Meet Mr. Divabetic on the red carpet at  Central Farm Market in Bethesda, MD, Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes in Philadelphia, PA the American Diabetes Association Expo in Pittsburgh, PA and the Taking Control Of Your Diabetes Health Fair & Conferences in San Diego, Ca and Austin, TX in Fall 2012. For more glitter, games and glucose advice visit: www.divabetic.org Original music by Douglas Clay: www.douglasclaymusic.com

Staying Active Reduces Risk Of Breast Cancer

University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill researchers announced that just a little bit of exercise is enough to decrease the risk of breast cancer but the best way to lower your risk of breast cancer is to get to a healthy weight and maintain it.

The study, published in the journal CANCER, found that reproductive-age or postmenopausal women who reported exercising the most in the study — between 10 and 19 hours each week — were the ones who had the greatest decrease in breast cancer risk — a 30 percent lower risk of the disease.

However, even women who exercised less than that seemed to have a decrease in breast cancer risk, especially for the hormone-receptor positive kinds of breast cancer.

And you don’t have to be a marathoner or super-exerciser to reap the benefits — researchers found that all levels of exercise intensity were linked with a decreased risk.

“The observation of a reduced risk of breast cancer for women who engaged in exercise after menopause is particularly encouraging given the late age of onset for breast cancer,” study researcher Lauren McCullough said in a statement.

But the important thing is to maintain the healthy weight — researchers found that if a woman stayed active but put on significant pounds, breast cancer risk increased – suggesting weight gain can actually negate the positive effects of exercise.

LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Roundtable Inspired by Kristin Chenoweth http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/03/13/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-kristen-chenoweth